The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is seeking grant proposals for projects designed to increase production and availability of fruits and vegetables, and other specialty crops in Utah. Grant proposals are due to the UDAF by April 23, 2020.

The federally funded Specialty Crop Block Grant program, administered in Utah by UDAF, is designed to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop producers in areas such as marketing, promotion, education, research, trade, and increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops. Specialty Crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture).

“We have a robust food community in Utah, which increases the demand for locally raised food. This grant can help producers find ways to increase the options and availability of specialty crops in Utah.” said Linda Gillmor, Marketing and Economic Development Director, UDAF. “This program helps producers find ways to increase the options and availability of specialty crops in Utah.”

This year we are happy to announce that approximately $360,000 is available to the state of Utah.

Individual producers, producer groups, organizations, and associations, as well as state and local organizations, academia and other specialty crops stakeholders are eligible to apply either as single entities or in combined efforts. Each project must demonstrate measurable benefits for the specialty crop industry and must assist more than just a single producer or company and also include an educational component.

Learn more about the Specialty Crop Block Grant program here.